U.S. patent application number 16/027242 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-22 for slide rail assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD., KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Ken-Ching Chen, Chun-Chiang Wang, Shun-Ho Yang, Chih-Hsin Yeh.
Application Number | 20180335079 16/027242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58544809 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180335079 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Ken-Ching ; et
al. |
November 22, 2018 |
SLIDE RAIL ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a
first locking device and a second locking device. The first rail
includes a blocking part. The first locking device is arranged on
the second rail and configured to lock the blocking part of the
first rail when the second rail is moved to a first predetermined
position relative to the first rail, such that the slide rail
assembly has a first extension length. The second locking device is
arranged on the second rail and configured to lock the blocking
part of the first rail when the second rail is moved to a second
predetermined position relative to the first rail, such that the
slide rail assembly has a second extension length.
Inventors: |
Chen; Ken-Ching; (Kaohsiung
City, TW) ; Yang; Shun-Ho; (Kaohsiung City, TW)
; Yeh; Chih-Hsin; (Kaohsiung City, TW) ; Wang;
Chun-Chiang; (Kaohsiung City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD.
KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD. |
Kaohsiung City
Kaohsiung City |
|
TW
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
58544809 |
Appl. No.: |
16/027242 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15458049 |
Mar 14, 2017 |
10047791 |
|
|
16027242 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/57 20170101;
A47B 88/40 20170101; F16C 29/10 20130101; F16C 29/02 20130101; A47B
88/44 20170101; A47B 2088/4235 20170101; A47B 96/07 20130101; H05K
7/1489 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16C 29/10 20060101
F16C029/10; F16C 29/02 20060101 F16C029/02; A47B 96/07 20060101
A47B096/07 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2016 |
TW |
105129907 |
Claims
1. A slide rail assembly, comprising: a first rail comprising a
blocking part; a second rail configured to move relative to the
first rail along a first direction to be in an extended status; a
first locking device connected to the second rail, the first
locking device blocking two sides of the blocking part of the first
rail when the second rail is located at a first predetermined
position relative to the first rail, such that the slide rail
assembly has a first extension length; and a second locking device
connected to the second rail, the second locking device blocking
two sides of the blocking part of the first rail when the second
rail is located at a second predetermined position relative to the
first rail, such that the slide rail assembly has a second
extension length.
2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the first locking
device comprises a first member and a second member, the first
member comprises a first part, the second member comprises a second
part, a first space is defined between the first part and the
second part, the first space is configured to accommodate the
blocking part of the first rail when the second rail is located at
the first predetermined position.
3. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the second locking
device comprises a third member and a fourth member, the third
member comprises a third part, the fourth member comprises a fourth
part, a second space is defined between the third part and the
fourth part, the second space is configured to accommodate the
blocking part of the first rail when the second rail is located at
the second predetermined position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/458,049, filed on Mar. 14, 2017. This
application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.
15/458,049, which was filed on Mar. 14, 2017, and is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly, and
more particularly, to a slide rail assembly having a locking
mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Generally, a slide rail assembly comprises a first rail and
a second rail movable relative to the first rail. Wherein, when the
second rail is moved relative to the first rail along a direction
to a predetermined position, a blocking structure arranged between
the first rail and the second rail can prevent the second rail from
being further moved relative to the first rail along the direction,
in order to hold the second rail at the predetermined position. As
related technology keeps improving, a slide rail assembly is
provided to have a second rail configured to be blocked by a
blocking mechanism at a predetermined position relative to the
first rail, and an operating part configured to be operated to
unlock the blocking mechanism in order to allow the second rail to
be moved relative to the first rail along a direction. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,891 B1 discloses a slide assembly comprising an
outer member (20), an inner member (30), a stop member (50) and a
pivot member (70). Wherein, the pivot member (70) is pivoted to the
inner member (30). When the inner member (30) is located at a
position relative to the outer member (20), the pivot member (70)
and the stop member (50) block each other to prevent the inner
member (30) from being moved relative to the outer member (20).
[0004] However, for different market requirements, it is important
to provide different slide rail assemblies applicable in limited
space, in order to facilitate equipment maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly
having a locking mechanism.
[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide
rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail, a first
locking device and a second locking device. The first rail
comprises a blocking part. The second rail is configured to move
relative to the first rail along a first direction to be in an
extended status. The first locking device is connected to the
second rail. The first locking device blocks two sides of the
blocking part of the first rail when the second rail is located at
a first predetermined position relative to the first rail, such
that the slide rail assembly has a first extension length. The
second locking device connected to the second rail. The second
locking device blocks two sides of the blocking part of the first
rail when the second rail is located at a second predetermined
position relative to the first rail, such that the slide rail
assembly has a second extension length.
[0007] Preferably, the first locking device comprises a first
member and a second member, the first member comprises a first
part, the second member comprises a second part, a first space is
defined between the first part and the second part, the first space
is configured to accommodate the blocking part of the first rail
when the second rail is located at the first predetermined
position.
[0008] Preferably, the second locking device comprises a third
member and a fourth member, the third member comprises a third
part, the fourth member comprises a fourth part, a second space is
defined between the third part and the fourth part, the second
space is configured to accommodate the blocking part of the first
rail when the second rail is located at the second predetermined
position.
[0009] These and other objectives of the present invention will no
doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing slide rail assemblies configured
to mount a carried object to a rack according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the slide rail assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the slide rail assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an area A of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a rail kit according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the slide rail assembly
in a retracted status according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a second rail of the
slide rail assembly being moved relative to a first rail along a
first direction to be in a first extended status, and a first
locking device locking a blocking part of the first rail according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the first locking device of the
slide rail assembly being operated to unlock the blocking part of
the first rail according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the second rail of the slide
rail assembly being further moved relative to the first rail along
the first direction to be in a second extended status, and a second
locking device locking the blocking part of the first rail
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the second locking device of
the slide rail assembly being operated to unlock the blocking part
of the first rail according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the second rail of the slide
rail assembly being moved relative to the first rail along a second
direction according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an area A of FIG. 11.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a position of a first space
defined by the first locking device corresponding to the blocking
part of the first rail according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of an area A of FIG. 13.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the first locking device being
moved to cross the blocking part of the first rail according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the slide rail assembly being
extended to have a first extension length according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the slide rail assembly being
extended to have a second extension length according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, a carried object 20 can be mounted to a
rack 24 through a pair of slide rail assemblies 22. The carried
object 20 can be an electronic apparatus. The rack 24 comprises a
pair of first posts 26a and a pair of second posts 26b. Each of the
slide rail assemblies 22 comprises a first rail 28 and a second
rail 30. Preferably, each of the slide rail assemblies 22 further
comprises a third rail 32. The first rail 28 is arranged between
the second rail 30 and the third rail 32. Wherein, the third rail
32 can be mounted to the first post 26a and the second post 26b
respectively through a first bracket 34 and a second bracket 36. On
the other hand, the second rail 30 is configured to mount the
carried object 20 in order to allow the carried object 20 to be
moved relative to the third rail 32 and/or the first rail 28
through the second rail 30, such that the carried object 20 can be
pulled out from the rack 24 or pushed into the rack 24. Such
arrangement is well known to those skilled in the art. For
simplification, no further illustration is provided.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first rail 28 of the
slide rail assembly 22 is movably mounted between the third rail 32
and the second rail 30.
[0029] The first rail 28 comprises at least one blocking part 38
(please refer to FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the first rail
28 comprises two blocking parts 38. Moreover, the first rail 28 has
a front end 40 and a rear end 42, and the first rail 28 further
comprises a first wall 44a, a second wall 44b and a side wall 46
connected between the first wall 44a and the second wall 44b.
Preferably, the pair of blocking parts 38 is arranged on the side
wall 46 and adjacent to the front end 40 of the first rail 28.
Wherein, the pair of blocking parts 38 can be protrusions directly
formed on the side wall 46 of the first rail 28; or an accessory
48, which comprises the pair of blocking parts 38 protruded
relative to the side wall 46 of the first rail 28, can be mounted
to the first rail 28 by riveting, welding or screwing. In the
present invention, the arrangement of the pair of blocking parts 38
is not limited thereto.
[0030] The second rail 30 (also referred to as slide rail) has a
front end 50 and a rear end 52, and the second rail 30 comprises a
first wall 54a, a second wall 54b and a side wall 56 connected
between the first wall 54a and the second wall 54b.
[0031] Moreover, the slide rail assembly 22 further comprises a
first locking device 58 and a second locking device 60. The first
locking device 58 and the second locking device 60 are arranged on
the second rail 30 (such as arranged on the side wall 56 of the
second rail 30). Specifically, the first locking device 58 and the
second locking device 60 are connected to the side wall 56 of the
second rail 30. Wherein, the first locking device 58 comprises a
first member 62 and a second member 64. On the other hand, the
second locking device 60 comprises a third member 66 and a fourth
member 68.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the second rail 30, the first
locking device 58 and the second locking device 60 constitute a
rail kit. Specifically, the first member 62 of the first locking
device 58 comprises a first part 70, and the second member 64
comprises a second part 72. A first space S1 is defined between the
first part 70 and the second part 72. In the present embodiment,
two first spaces S1 are provided between the first part 70 and the
second part 72. On the other hand, the third member 66 of the
second locking device 60 comprises a third part 74, and the fourth
member 68 comprises a fourth part 76. A second space S2 is defined
between the third part 74 and the fourth part 76. In the present
embodiment, two second spaces S2 are provided between the third
part 74 and the fourth part 76.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the first locking device 58
and the second locking device 60 are arranged at different
positions on the second rail 30 along a longitudinal direction of
the second rail. A longitudinal dimension L1 of the first space S1
is smaller than a longitudinal dimension L2 of the second space
S2.
[0034] The first member 62 further comprises a first elastic
section 78. The first part 70 is arranged at an end of the first
elastic section 78. On the other hand, the second member 64 further
comprises a second elastic section 80. The second part 72 is
arranged at an end of the second elastic section 80. Preferably,
the first elastic section 78 is located between the side wall 56 of
the second rail 30 and the second elastic section 80. The first
elastic section 78 and the second elastic section 80 are tilted
relative to the side wall 56 of the second rail 30. Preferably, the
second member 64 further comprises a first extension section 82
connected to the second elastic section 80. On the other hand, the
side wall 56 of the second rail 30 is arranged with a first
supporting part 84 configured to abut against the first extension
section 82.
[0035] The third member 66 further comprises a third elastic
section 86. The third part 74 is arranged at an end of on the third
elastic section. On the other hand, the fourth member 68 further
comprises a fourth elastic section 88. The fourth part 76 is
arranged at an end of on the fourth elastic section 88. Preferably,
the third elastic section 86 is located between the side wall 56 of
the second rail 30 and the fourth elastic section 88. The third
elastic section 86 and the fourth elastic section 88 are tilted
relative to the side wall 56 of the second rail 30. Preferably, the
fourth member 68 further comprises a second extension section 90
connected to the fourth elastic section 80. On the other hand, the
side wall 56 of the second rail 30 is arranged with a second
supporting part 84 configured to abut against the second extension
section 90.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the second rail 30 is in a retracted
status relative to the first rail 28 and/or the third rail 32.
Specifically, the second rail 30 is located at a retracted position
P relative to the first rail 28 and/or the third rail 32.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, when the second rail 30 is moved from
the retracted position P to a first predetermined position P1 along
a first direction D1 relative to the first rail 28 and/or the third
rail 32, the first locking device 58 is configured to lock the
blocking part 38 of the first rail 28, in order to prevent the
second rail 30 from moving relative to the first rail 28 along the
first direction D1 or a second direction (opposite to the first
direction D1). Specifically, when the second rail 30 is located at
the first predetermined position P1 relative to the first rail 28,
the first space S1 is configured to accommodate the blocking part
38 of the first rail 28. In other words, the first part 70 of the
first member 62 and the second part 72 of the second member 64 are
located respectively at two sides of the blocking part 38 of the
first rail 28 in response to the elastic force of the first elastic
section 78 and the second elastic section 80 (for example, the
first part 70 is located at a first side 94a of the blocking part
38 of the first rail 28; and the second part 72 is located at a
second side 94b of the blocking part 38 of the first rail 28), such
that the first locking device 58 is configured to block two sides
of the blocking part 38 in order to lock the blocking part 38. In
such state, the slide rail assembly 22 has a first extension length
E1, and the second rail 30 is in a first extended status relative
to the first rail 28.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a user can apply a first
force F1 to operate the first locking device 58, in order to press
the first elastic section 78 of the first member 62 and the second
elastic section 80 of the second member 64 to move toward the side
wall 56 of the second rail 30, such that the first part 70 of the
first member 62 and the second part 72 of the second member 64 no
longer block the two sides 94a, 94b of the blocking part 38. In
other words, the first locking device 58 is operated to unlock the
blocking part 38.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 9, in such unlock status, the second rail
30 can be further moved relative to the first rail 28 and/or the
third rail 32 from the first predetermined position P1 along the
first direction D1. When the second rail is moved to a second
predetermined position P2, the second locking device 60 is
configured to lock the blocking part 38 of the first rail 28, in
order to prevent the second rail 30 from moving relative to the
first rail 28 along the first direction D1 or a second direction
(opposite to the first direction D1). Specifically, when the second
rail 30 is located at the second predetermined position P2 relative
to the first rail 28, the second space S2 is configured to
accommodate the blocking part 38 of the first rail 28. In other
words, the third part 74 of the third member 66 and the fourth part
76 of the fourth member 68 are located respectively at two sides of
the blocking part 38 of the first rail 28 in response to the
elastic force of the third elastic section 86 and the fourth
elastic section 88 (for example, the third part 74 is located at
the first side 94a of the blocking part 38 of the first rail 28;
and the fourth part 74 is located at the second side 94b of the
blocking part 38 of the first rail 28), such that the second
locking device 60 is configured to block two sides of the blocking
part 38 in order to lock the blocking part 38. In such state, the
slide rail assembly 22 has a second extension length E2, and the
second rail 30 is in a second extended status (such as in a fully
extended status) relative to the first rail 28.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the user can apply a second
force F2 to operate the second locking device 60, in order to press
the third elastic section 86 of the third member 66 and the fourth
elastic section 88 of the fourth member 68 to move toward the side
wall 56 of the second rail 30, such that the third part 74 of the
third member 66 and the fourth part 76 of the fourth member 68 no
longer block the two sides 94a, 94b of the blocking part 38. In
other words, the second locking device 60 is operated to unlock the
blocking part 38.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 11, preferably, a guiding feature 96, such
as an inclined or curved face, is arranged between the first
extension section 82 and the second elastic section 80 of the
second member 64 of the first locking device 58. When the second
locking device 60 is operated to unlock the blocking part 38, the
second rail 30 is able to be moved relative to the first rail 28
and/or the third rail 32 from the second predetermined position P2
toward the retracted position P along the second direction D2.
Moreover, during a process of the second rail 30 being moved along
the second direction D2, the guiding feature 96 of the first
locking device 58 contacts the first side 94a of the blocking part
38 of the first rail 28 (please also refer to FIG. 12).
[0042] As shown in FIG. 13, when the second rail 30 is further
moved along the second direction D2, the second elastic section 80
and the first elastic section 78 are moved toward the side wall 56
of the second rail 30 to accumulate an elastic force (please also
refer to FIG. 14) in response to sliding contact between the
guiding feature 96 and the first side 94a of the blocking part 38
of the first rail 28, and the first extension section 82 does not
abut against the first supporting part 84 of the second rail 30.
Furthermore, when a movement of the second rail 30 along the second
direction D2 is faster than a recovery movement of the first
elastic section 78 driven by the elastic force, the first space S1
can directly cross the blocking part 38 of the first rail 28
(please also refer to FIG. 15, wherein the second elastic section
80 and the first elastic section 78 release the elastic force, in
order to allow the first extension section 82 to abut against the
first supporting part 84 of the second rail 30 again). In other
words, the first locking device 58 is prevented from locking the
blocking part 38 of the first rail 28, such that the second rail 30
can be directly moved to the retracted position P (please also
refer to FIG. 6) relative to the first rail 28 and/or the third
rail 32 to be in the retracted status again.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 16, when the second rail 30 is located at
the first predetermined position P1 relative to the first rail 28
and/or the third rail 32, and the blocking part 38 is locked by the
first locking device 58 (please also refer to FIG. 7), the slide
rail assembly 22 has the first extension length E1.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 17, when the second rail 30 is located at
the second predetermined position P2 relative to the first rail 28
and/or the third rail 32, and the blocking part 38 is locked by the
second locking device 60 (please also refer to FIG. 9), the slide
rail assembly 22 has the second extension length E2. Wherein, the
second extension length E2 is longer than the first extension
length E1.
[0045] According to the above arrangement, the slide rail assembly
22 can be locked to have different extension lengths through the
first locking device 58 and the second locking device 60.
Therefore, the slide rail assembly 22 is applicable to different
installation environments for meeting specific requirements of
equipment maintenance.
[0046] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous
modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made
while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the
above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes
and bounds of the appended claims.
* * * * *